150,000 years of human existence have passed, and yet what do we really know about our history before the advent of writing? Some of the most momentous events - including our origins, our migrations across the globe, and our acquisition of language - were lost in the darkness of 'prehistory'. But at last geneticists and other scientists are piecing together a history - the true story of Adam and Eve. Mapping Human History is nothing less than a 'history of prehistory'. Steve Olson travelled through four continents to discover the development of humans and our expansion throughout the planet. He describes, for example, new thinking about how centres of agriculture sprang up among disparate foraging societies at roughly the same time. He tells why most of us can claim Julius Caesar and Confucius among our forebears. He pinpoints why the ways in which the story of the Jewish people jibes with, and diverges from, biblical accounts. And using very recent genetic findings, he explodes the myth that human races are a biological reality.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
'Olson's is a steady hand to guide us through...treacherous waters' Sunday Telegraph
About the Author
Steve Olson, a science major who studied writing with John Hersey and Alice Walker, graduated from Yale University in 1978. He has written extensively on biological sciences, often working at the National Academy of the Sciences and the Institute of Genomic Research in Washington D.C. He has written for Atlantic, Science and many other magazines, and his books include Biotechnology: An Industry Comes of Age and Shaping the Future: Biological Research and Human Values.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Agenda driven book,
This review is from: Mapping Human History (Paperback)
I'm deeply disappointed that I wasted time and money on a book that begins as if it is a valid history of our prehistory, and abandons facts and logic in order to advance a political point. The actual intent of the book is to promote the idea that there is no such thing as race and that all humans are exactly alike. If you need to have your thinking done for you, this book might occupy you long enough to keep you from involving yourself in other misguided projects but you will probably learn more useful information reading about wizards and unicorns.
Brian
5.0 out of 5 stars
History of Man,
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This review is from: Mapping Human History (Paperback)
Very informative and easy to read. Should be required in all high schools for race relations.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting,
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This review is from: Mapping Human History (Hardcover)
I do not believe Mr. Olson can substantiate all the ancient dates he uses in the book. Nevertheless, the book is interesting.
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